Hey everyone, who here tows with there t3 transporter? Im thinking about towing a light car trailer with a mk1 golf on it behind my caravelle which has a stock 2.1L motor with 5 speed box. Will my van be able to handle this? The trip is Sydney to Goulburn and back. If the van cant handle it i can borrow a nissan patrol, it would just be much easier if i can use my own car.
Thanks heaps,
Alex.

yep shit it i've been towing with mine for 3 years on and of with no worries and vintage vee dub even longer

Sweet, i will use the van then. Now i just need to make a tow bar for it and ill be ready to go.
Alex.

Sorry for late reply.
Yes it will handle it but, and there always is.
Keep an eye on temp
Avoid overly big hills U dont want to be pulling nearly 2+tonne up hill with a 4 cylinder in 1st gear...... T3 caravelle 1640KG dry....
Freeway cruisin is fine.
A gentle country road is Fine.
Big hills, kills, ok well it aint good for thr vehicle..
Be aware that u r going to be pulling a combined weight greater than the puller...
If there are BIG hills use a 6 cylinder as it wont hurt to be safe.
In saying that i do it a fair bit butu i live in a mianly flat area. I avoid BIG hills and take an alternative route.
I dont want to terminate the Kombi too early....

i`d take the patrol cause it would be a lot easier, and wont wear out the caravelle going up skyline on the way to goulburn:thumbwell thats what i would do if i was going to do what you are doing with those 2 options

yeah VVDS has been towing for ages

However if you read your T3 handbook it advises in the "" Not to tow "" LOL

i have a towbar if ya need one and i have pulled 2 vw up bulli with no worries but i have fitted a switch to turn on my fan for those occasions and city driving in stop start traffic
good luck

It will do it easy, especially to Goulburn, no big hills there.

Every time I tow with mine, I end up going up Ousley, if you have the proper thermostate in your van it will not get too hot. I have towed other T3's on a heavy car trailer with mine back from Sydney, no problems, back to 3rd up a couple of hills but no worries at all.

Thanks everyone, i will give it ago. The van is great mechanicaly and its not towing a huge load. The golf only weighs a little over 800 kg and i doubt the trailer would be much over 500 kg.
Alex.

I just picked up a 1100 kg camper trailer from Bawley point and took the senic road back to Sydney over the lawrence hargraves sea bridge great drive 4 people in the dual cab all luggage gear etc, went straight up the pass to Stanwell tops back to 2nd gear (auto) pulled it up easy all the way with the aircon on! How ever I have decided to tow the trailer when I do my 6 month trip in april with a landcruiser I think the T3 would do it but the cruiser will be much easier and relaxing to take and I can tow the trailer down the beach! M

[ Edited on 24-2-2007 by waltermitty ]

Well everyone, i wussed out and used the nissan to tow. I wish i had taken the t3, i rekon it would have been faster than the patrol. Diesel + non turbo + towing = very slow, lol. Anyways, i had a great day at wakefield park and now im totally converted to the water cooled side of the scene! The golf was so much fun. Such a tough little car. The 1.6 8v stood up to a whole day of me driving it as hard as i could, i mean like trying to kill it sorta hard lol. I was supprised at how well it handled, suspension wise its nothing special. Sports springs with ok shocks, strut brace, lower stress bar and a set of slicks for the day. It doesnt even run sway bars! I now have big plans for the little car and im already booked in for another track day!
Alex.